Former Nigeria midfielder, Duke Udi has advised that Stanley Nwabali should not be part of the Super Eagles while he remains without a club.
Udi stressed that national team selections should be strictly based on club form and performance rather than reputation or sentiment.
He urged Nigeria to adopt the approach used by top football nations, where merit and consistency determines call ups.
“We need to learn from the English and Senegalese national teams. With all due respect to Nigeria, how do they pick their players?,” Duke Udi posited.
“Sometimes when you do things your own way and it’s not working, you have to look at those doing it better and learn from them.
“If you look at the Senegal national team, they pick players based on merit and who is in form. You must prove yourself to get called up.
“Every Nigerian who wants to play for the Super Eagles should be chosen on merit, not based on where he comes from or who he represents.
“Once you are qualified, good enough, and performing well at your club, then you are entitled to play for the national team.”
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“The national team isn’t a rehabilitation centre. Nwabali isn’t a bad goalkeeper, but for now he is clubless so how do you bring a clubless player into the national team?
“As I always say, ‘I get am before no be property.’ You should always pick based on form.”
Duke Udi’s comments come amid growing calls from sections of the public advocating for Nwabali’s inclusion in the squad as a show of support.
